Ban political parties with militant wings: Sharif

He called on the people to take a stand against all political parties spreading and supporting terrorism.

“I would like to request the people of Pakistan not to vote for political parties involved in sabotaging peace in the country and nourishing corruption,” he added.

His statement comes after the Supreme Court yesterday said criminal gangs with political backing were responsible for “brutalities” in the financial hub of Karachi and directed authorities to take “strong and decisive action” in any areas controlled by armed groups.

The apex court,which had taken suo motu notice of a wave of political and ethnic violence that killed over 1,300 people in Pakistan’s largest city this year,concluded that criminal gangs were receiving financial support from political parties.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry warned the government that it must take strong action to stop the violence in Karachi.

The court’s verdict listed several recommendations,including the setting up of a committee to ensure law enforcement agencies take indiscriminate action against criminal gangs linked to ethnically based political parties to eliminate their stronghold and remove illegal weapons.